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NBA Draft 2014: Shabazz Napier is open to the idea of being a Hornet

By Trisity Miller

Apr 22, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; 2013 NCAA Mens Basketball MVP Connecticut Huskies guard Shabazz Napier talks to the media prior to the game against the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; 2013 NCAA Mens Basketball MVP Connecticut Huskies guard Shabazz Napier talks to the media prior to the game against the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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After an excellent NCAA season from senior point guard Shabazz Napier that was capped off by winning a national championship, Napier is now shaping his sights onto the NBA. As the NBA Draft slowly approaches, one place the 2013-14 NCAA’s Most Outstanding Player he wouldn’t mind playing is with former college teammate in Charlotte.

"Napier was a freshman on the 2010-11 Connecticut team Walker led to the national championship. Napier duplicated Walker’s feat in March, leading the Huskies to another NCAA title.The two have stayed tight: When the Bobcats had a day off in April before a road game in Boston, Walker traveled to Connecticut’s campus to hang out with Napier. Now the Bobcats need a backup point guard and are drafting 24th overall in June – a spot where Napier could still be available.“That would be cool,” Napier said of the prospect of a reunion with Walker. “Fun and ironic.”via UConn’s Shabazz Napier all for a Charlotte reunion with Kemba Walker | Charlotte Observer"

The Bobcats, or should I say the Hornets, could use another perimeter scorer of Napier’s talents. With Luke Ridnour an unrestricted free agent and Gary Neal more valuable playing the two-guard, Napier fits one for the teams needs. He lacks size, standing at 6-1, and isn’t known for his playmaking abilities, but he showed a lot of poise during March Madness and that’s a trait that could take a player a long way at the point guard.

With their initial pick going to the Detroit Pistons, the Hornets hold the 24th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft thanks to a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers from 2011, the Gerald Wallace trade to be exact. Leaving the first round would be a solid get for the Hornets, but depending on whose left on the board and which holes they choose to field, they may choose to go elsewhere.

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